North Central boys, girls stay perfect in 5-1A

Seventh-grader Derrick Tezeno possessed the calm of a veteran Friday night as he knocked down the winning shot with just seconds remaining to keep the North Central boys undefeated in District 5-1A.

Tezeno’s jumper from the top of the key provided the final points in North Central’s 56-54 win over Catholic High-Pointe Coupee in a district game played at New Roads.

In the girls’ game, the Hurricanes also improved to 3-0 in 5-1A by defeating the Hornets 73-14.

North Central 56, CHPC 54 (boys)

Hurricanes’ head boys basketball coach Apphia Jordan said North Central set up a final shot designed to get the ball to the open player trailing down the floor.

In the end the unguarded shooter was Tezeno.

“We came down and spread the floor and they (CHPC) didn’t pick up (Tezeno) who was headed down the middle. We were able to overload to one side, get Derrick the ball, and he was open and took the shot with about two seconds left,” she said.

Jordan said Tezeno’s shot was taken near the top of the key . “He pulled up and that was it,” she said.

The 2-point basket was one of Tezeno’s 11 points. The Hurricanes also received double figure points from Vondrick Jimmerson (15) and Nikembe Johnson (133).

Catholic-Pointe Coupee received a team-high 24 from Troy Pichon.

North Central trailed the Hornets 21-10 at the end of the first quarter. Catholic High still held the advantage (30-26) by halftime.

The Hurricanes gathered some momentum in the third quarter, outscoring CPHC by nine (18-9) to start the fourth period.

“I was real proud of the way this team (NCHS) came back. We have three starters who aren’t even in high school yet. To be 3-0 at this point and come back with a road win the way they did, it’s really awesome,” Jordan said.

NCHS is 6-13 overall. Catholic-Pointe Coupee is 1-2 in 5-1A.

North Central 72, CHPC 14 (girls)

NCHS had little trouble with the Hornets in the girls’ game.

CHPC fell behind 19-2 at the end of the first quarter and by halftime, the Hurricanes established a 42-9 advantage.

“I expected (CHPC) to be more of a challenge for us. I know they have some good players. I thought our pressure throughout the game and especially early really affected them,” said North Central head girls basketball coach Vanessa Taylor.

Taylor said she was somewhat surprised by her team’s ability to sustain a lead for so long.

“I always go into a game expecting the best from my team, but preparing for the worst,” Taylor said.

Quaniqua Joseph led the Hurricanes with 21 points. Joseph sank a trio of 3-point shots in addition to making four field goals. Joseph was also four-of-six from the 3-point line.

Guard Jada Duncantell scored 20 for the Hurricanes. Duncantell provided seven field goals and a pair of 3 balls.

Also in double figures for North Central was Latrachaui Tyler (19). Tyler connected with nine field goals.

Auriel Wilson provided seven points for the Hurricanes.

NEXT GAME: North Central hosts St. Edmund in a District 5-1A contest on Tuesday night.